Miami relies on defense in victory

MIAMI A chorus of boos rained down from the stands Sunday afternoon, then hundreds of Miami Dolphins fans started exciting Pro Player Stadium.

Few seemed to support coach Dave Wannstedt's decision to punt with a little more than two minutes remaining and the Dolphins trailing 15-10.

It turned out to be one of the best moves of the game.

Facing a fourth-and-4 play from their own 26, Wannstedt could have turned to quarterback Jay Fiedler, running back Lamar Smith or any of his speedy and sure-handed receivers to try to pick up the first down.

Instead, Miami punted to the Oakland Raiders with 2:21 to play and gave the ball back to Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Charlie Garner and Rich Gannon.

That's how much confidence Wannstedt had in his defense.

'We basically told the defensive guys that we have two timeouts left, I am throwing this back on you guys," Wannstedt said. 'If we are going to win this thing, you have to stop them."

They did. The defense forced Oakland to punt after three plays, and Fiedler drove Miami 80 yards in the final 1:41 to help the Dolphins beat the Raiders 18-15.

'That's the luxury of having a defense like ours," defensive tackle Daryl Gardener said.

'The pressure was on us and we came through."

The defense gave up only six points two field goals against the Raiders. Oakland converted Fiedler's two interceptions into nine points, returning one of them for a touchdown.

The defense held Oakland's vaunted offense to 216 yards. Brown and Rice combined for four receptions and 27 yards, Garner had 30 yards rushing on seven carries and Gannon was 14-of-25 passing for 125 yards.

'Our defense was phenomenal," Wannstedt said. 'It was as good a defensive performance as I have been around. ... If you don't give up a touchdown to these guys, it's a phenomenal effort."

Defensive end Kenny Mixon had Miami's only sack, but the Dolphins put constant pressure on Oakland's offense.

Linebacker Zach Thomas had 18 tackles, one shy of his career high set against Buffalo in 1998.

Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison proved they are one of the best cover tandems in the league, shutting down Brown and Rice. Neither future Hall of Fame receiver had a catch longer than 9 yards, and Rice finished with one reception for 7 yards.

Rice made his only reception with 10 minutes left, extending his NFL-record streak to 226 consecutive games with a catch.